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If you are a regular visitor to the world of Fast Bikes you may have noticed that I have rather an ambitious project running. Namely, building a racer out of a 30-year-old TZR250 (which has been housed for at least the last five years in numerous boxes around the Fast Bikes workshop), and then racing it at one of the rounds of the Yamaha Past Masters series by the end of this season. My ambitions outweigh my talent by a long way, I hasten to add, so I have employed help from Phoenix Yamaha in Trowbridge on the bike build and regeneration. Then I have to contend with not only riding a TZR for the first time but learning to do so proficiently enough to race against far more experienced TZR riders and racers than I.

This is a project that is beset with problems, from the wrong bolts in place meaning the headers were pissing water, to gaping holes in the petrol tank, a radiator that was crumbing to the touch and calipers that frankly should be tied to a post and shot. All that said, Wayne Philips has been diligently plugging away between paid jobs at Phoenix Yamaha in Trowbridge and has made some remarkable progress. I have tried to help of course, but the majority of ‘help’ is turning up on a semi-regular basis with my camera and asking “So, Wayne, what have you done this month, then?”

About Fast Bikes

Welcome to the Summer 2017 issue. This month, a digital exclusive... Watch 10 videos from our massive Sportsbike of the year feature. 8 of the best but only 1 winner!
Plus, Honda CBR600RR Buyer's guide, BMW HP4 race, Ponies for pennies, Wanna race the TT? Know your suspension, The two-stroke comeback, best used bike investments.
Fast Bikes is home to the best sportsbike tests on the planet and is packed with new bike launches, technical insight, hardcore action, masterclasses, racing, reviews and loads more.